National Indian Gaming Commission Loses Key Powers Over $46 Billion Tribal Industry Amid Chair Vacancy
Updated
Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 9
National Indian Gaming Commission Loses Key Powers Over $46 Billion Tribal Industry Amid Chair Vacancy
3 articles · Updated · The Associated Press · Aug 9
Summary
The National Indian Gaming Commission has been unable since January to enforce federal tribal-gaming law, approve new tribal gambling ordinances or certify management contracts because its chairperson seat is vacant.
That freeze has already stalled the Iowa Tribe of Oklahoma’s plan to hand day-to-day control of its new 175,000-square-foot Harrah’s-branded casino to Caesars, leaving tribal staff to run the property themselves.
The gap also strips the regulator of its main enforcement tools — including issuing citations and ordering emergency closures — for an industry that generated a record $46 billion in 2025 across 545 facilities run by about 250 tribes.
Tribal leaders and former officials say the paralysis could deter investment and leaves tribes without a federal advocate as at least eight tribes fight online prediction-market platforms they say threaten gaming revenue and sovereignty.
Trump has not nominated a new chair, extending a leadership lapse that began after the last Senate-confirmed chair’s term ended under Biden; the White House did not say when a nominee would be named.